Fox moved that the house should resolve itself into a committee to
consider of the American war; and at the same time he gave notice that
he intended to move in committee "That his majesty's ministers ought
immediately to take every possible measure for concluding peace with our
American colonies." In his speech, Fox contended that success by force
of arms was impossible, and expressed his belief that the Americans
would have treated upon far more moderate and honourable conditions than
they ever entertained a notion of admitting. The orators on both sides
went over the whole history of the war; but their oratory was chiefly
remarkable for its mutual recrimination: each party endeavouring to
throw the blame upon the other. In the course of the debate the memory
of Chatham was treated with disrespect. It was urged by some, that
he had been one cause of the dispute, or of the ill-success which had
attended its management; that his notions were contradictory; and that
if one of his leading principles was to be followed the war would never
end. William Pitt rose to defend the character of his father; but his
eloquence failed to reconcile the manifest contradictions which had
appeared in the proceedings of that great statesman. When he had
performed this duty, Pitt proceeded to state his own opinion on the
subject of the American war. He remarked:--"The war was conceived
in injustice, nurtured in folly, and its footsteps are marked with
slaughter and devastation. It exhibits the height of moral depravity and
human turpitude. The nation is drained of its best blood and its vital
resources, for which nothing is received in return but a series of
inefficient victories or disgraceful retreats; victories obtained over
men struggling in the holy cause of liberty, or defeats which filled the
land with mourning for the loss of dear and valuable relatives, slain in
a detested and impious quarrel." Some members, however, argued that the
Americans might yet be subdued; while others doubted whether at this
moment, when they were backed by France, Spain, and Holland, they would
not treat all overtures with contumely. It was also questioned whether
the house could, or ought to interfere with the prerogative of the
crown; in which was vested the power of peace and war, and whether they
could bind the sovereign by their resolution, which was not likely to
be adopted by the lords. Moreover, on both sides of the house there were
men who still s